Brush strip



Feb. 3, 1942. H. cAvE BRUSH STRIP Filed Jan. 13, 1959 l ,l Em Y noted by the dotted line by the dotted une v Figure 7 is a similar view but illustrating-a Patented Feb. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSH STRIP Henry Cave, Hartford, Conn., assignor to The Fuller Company, Hartford, Conn., a. corporation of Connecticut Application January 13, 1939, Serial No. 250,727 1s claims. (ci. is-iss) My invention relates to the art of brush making, and an object of my invention, among others, is to provide a simple and ei'licient means for producing strips of indefinite lengths and comprising a base of channel-like form within which the brush material, as bristles, may be doubled and securely anchored, such material projecting from the mouth of the channel comprising a strip. and the latter being adapted to be cut into such lengths as may be' required for the making of a brush of any desired shape or form and adapted for use for any purpose that may be required.

Diiferent examples of strips embodying my invention, and the method of forming the same, in the making and use of which strips the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which-*- i Figure l is a diagrammatic view illustrating a method of forming my improved brush strip.

Figure 2 is a view in section on a plane de- 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a similar view on a plane denoted by the dotted line 3--3 ofv Fig. l.

Figure 4 is a similar viewon a plane denoted by the dotted line 4-'4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a similar view on 4a planedenoted by the dotted line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a similar view-on a plane 6--6 of Fig. 1.

denoted form in which there is little pressure on the bristle mass at the mouth of the channel.

Figure 8 is a view of a fragment of a rotary brush showing the adaptation of channel strip to a brush of this kind.

Figure 9 is a view in section on a plane noted by the dotted line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Figure l0 is a similar view on a plane by the dotted line lil-I0 of Fig. 8,

Figure 11 is another similar view illustrating a manner of spacing the brush strips on a supporting base. y

Figure 12 is a view trating another manner strips on a supporting base.

Figure 13 is a view in cross section through dedenoted similar to Fig. 11 but illusthe brush or As hereinbefore stated it is a purpose of my present invention to provide a strip that'is made use of in the manufacture of brushes of various sorts, and an important feature of my invention is the provision of means for securely holding the brush material, as bristles, in a very firm manner and more particularly without injury to such material, whether in the formation of the strip or thereafter, in the use of the brushes made from such strip. I obtain such a result by the formation of .a base of channel shape and the securing of the bristles therein in such a way that the grip of this base or channel piece upon the bristles is obtained by pressure applied to the mass within the base in opposite directions and on lines of force opposed one to another at intervals around a core wire extending within the mass, thereby eliminating undue pressure upon the mass between the lips of the mouth of the channel strip. I have found that if a number of denitely located places of pressure upon the bristle mass within the channel base are made use of a very firm and dependable anchorage is obtained and there is no liability of one place of pressure being loosened by reason of the application of more pressure to another or other place or places as is -liable to occur in cases where channelstrips of round or substantially round lcontour in cross section are employed. I therel to the strip, and while of spacing the brush two of the brush strips illustrating the 'action which takes place when the strips are bent around a circular base.

Figure 14 is an isometric perspective view of a portion of a floor brush constructed for manualfore form my improved channel strips of angular shape in cross section, thereby creating as many locations or places of pressure as there are sides the number of sides which may be'employedin the base strip may vary, as I anticipate good results from the use of strips of other angular shapes in cross section, I have found that a channeled base of hexagonal shape in rcross section pro uces most satisfactory results, this providing a base having ve points of contact or pressure for securing the brush material within the channeled'base.

This base is preferably formed from a narrow strip of metal that isv rounded on opposite edges to such extent as to eliminate sharp edges or in any event to lavoid contact of the vbrush material, either in fabricating the strip or in its use, with an outer edge that will cut or otherwise injure such material. I anticipate, Without lim- `'iting the invention, the use of a strip having curved edges formed on a radius of. substantially ninety degrees and which appear on the inside 4,of the mouth of the channel when such channel base is formed. My reason for this is that a strip obtainable on the market thus formedis readily and when the. channeled base is formed therefrom there are no sharp edges to make contact with the bristle mass as it is flexed in opposite directions in use. g

A brush strip thus formed readily adapts itself to the construction of brushes of various sorts and sizes, either formanual use in cleaning operations or for use mechanicallyk as in rotary brushes employed for various purposes.

In the accompanying drawing, in Fig's. 1 to 7 inclusive, I have shown a manner of constructing my improved brush strip as by means of a machine diagrammatically illustrated and comprising a set of feed rolls I8 for moving a strip I1 of material, as metal, from any suitable source to a set of primary forming rolls I8 by means of which a primary step in the formation of the channel strip is taken. From the rolls I8 the partially formed channel strip is delivered to a set of secondary forming rolls I9 which advance the channel formation to a point for the reception of brush material, commonly in the form of bristles. From the rolls I9 the now partially formed channel strip passes to a set of compressing rolls by means of which final form is imparted to the channel strip and the brush material is secured in the channel strip or base. This brush material 2I is supplied to the channel strip just before its final compression and by means of a feed belt 22 which takes the material from a hopper or other source, not herein shown. A core wire 23 may also'be placed within the folds of the bristles as they are doubled into the channel strip, this wire coming from any suitable source, not herein shown, and passing about the periphery of a wire feed roll 24, this manner of feeding the brush material and wire and uniting them being well known in this art and therefore not requiring further illustration herein.

The strip I1 passes between the feed rolls I8 in its ilat shape as shown in Fig. 2 and then assumes its primary shape 25 as it passes between the primary forming rolls I8, as shown in Fig. 3,. 'Ihis primary shape comprises a groove 28 extending along the bottom together with marginal sides 21, the groove being started by the rolls I8 and slightly enlarged by the secondary forming rolls I9, as shown in Fig. 4. As the now partially formed channel strip passes to the rolls I9 the formation of the intermediate sides 28 takes place and the marginal sides 21 are moved closer together. As the channel strip passes underneath the roll 24 the brush material and the wire are pushed down into the channel, the wire being on top and in the fold created by doubling such material, as shown in Fig. 5. The strip is then compressed by action of the compressing rolls 20 into final shape forming the brush strip, as shown in Fig. 6 from which it will be noted that the pressure of the channel strip against the brush material takes place at five points, that is, at the bottom and at the crosswise centers of each of the sides 21 and 28. This channel strip may be compressed to such extent as to create some pressure between the lips 29 of the channel, but in this case the curved edge 30 hereinbefore referred to will cause a pressure of the brush material in an inclined direction downwardly, rather than straight across the mass.

This iinal pressure may be reduced somewhat if desired so that the form shown in Fig. 'l will result, in this case the pressure between the lips 29 being substantially negligible. As hereinbefore mentioned the binding action. or pressure on the brush material takes place on the flat sides of the strip intermediate the angles wherein novbinding takes place, and this enables such angled portions of the strip to be utilized as a means for securing lengths of strips in place on a base.

'Ihis is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing wherein are shown notches 8| for the recep- A tion of fastening means as screws 82 for securing the lengths 93, into which the brush strip'is cut, to bases I4 which, in this instance, are round to constitute a rotary brush. In this way portions of the brush strip lengths are utilized for fastening purposes which would otherwise serve no useful end. This sloping feature of the sides of the strip may well be utilized for fastening purposes without the notches, the tapered member, as a screw head or other device, in such case simply engaging the sloping sides. -The notches merely enable the strips to be placed close together.

In wrapping the strip lengths about the round base pressure upon the brush mass is increased, as illustrated in Fig. 13, from which it will be noted that the channeled lengths are slightly flattened crosswise causing increased pressure of the marginal sides against the outer side of the loop of brush material and consequently increasing the pressure between the loop and the intermediate sides in the bottom of the channeled base, and it is here remarked that the object of the groove 26 is to preserve the binding action of the bottom of the channel piece which might otherwise be destroyed, said groove ensuring that the bottom may not be outwardly curved when the strip is bent but that the binding surface will be preserved.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown spacing members for retaining the brush lengths in position on the bases to which they are secured. In Fig. 11 struts 35 areemployed having their opposite edges formed with angular recesses 38 corresponding In shape to the angles on the sides of the adjacent brush lengths, screws, or other devices beveled to ilt the sloping sides of the strips, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, being employed if desired to secure the lengths in place to the base 8l which may be round, fiat, or any desired shape.' In this event the notches may be omitted as hereinbefore mentioned.

In Fig. 12 spacing members 81 are shown as round in cross section to engage under the intermediate angularly disposed sides of the brush lengths, in this case the base being round in shape. In Fig. 14 I have shown the brush strip employed in the formation of a flat floor brush 98 of a well known oval shape to which a handle is pivotally attached intermediate the rounded ends of the brush, such brush embodying all of the useful features hereinbefore enumerated. The handle and its connecting means to ilt a floor brush are not shown as its construction is well understood by those skilled in the art.

The notches 3| are in factproduced by corruv gations formed by the rolls '28 as the brush strip passes between them, said rolls having ribs and grooves for producing the cdrrugations.` I n the formation of a floor brush as shown in Fig. 14 the grooves and corrugations are increased somewhat in depth on the outside of the curve at the ends of the brush and will become more shallow on the inside of the bends. The rib formed within the channel by the groove on the outside will also serve to prevent shifting or endwise movement of the brush material within the channel.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statues I have described the principles of operasurfaces to create a plurality of denite bindingv places of substantially similar formation on opposite sides of the channel both" above and below the level of the core for brush material secured within and projecting out of the channel in said structure.

2. A brush comprising a holder composed of sheet Vmetal of channel shape and comprising sides gradually approaching each other and terminating in a narrow mouth, said channel within said mouth being of angular form in cross section to produce a number of defined binding points for brush' material projecting from the mouth of said channel, brush material doubled within said holder, and a core wire located within the fold of said brush material to oppose the pressure upon said material and increase thebinding action at said points, the bottom wall of said holder having a groove extending lengthwise thereof in its outer surface to avoid formation of a round bearing surface in subsequent binding of the holder. 1

3. A brush comprising, a holder 'composed of sheet metal of channel shape and comprising sides gradually approaching each other and terminating in a narrow mouth, said channel Within said mouth being of angular form in cross section thereby creating anumber of defined binding points and with a grooved bottom thereby creating a rib extending' lengthwise on the inside of the channel to constitute one of said binding points, and brush material secured in said holder by the binding action of said binding points and projecting from the mouth of said ch'annel.

4. A brush strip of suitable length for division into shorter pieces to be incorporated in a brush structure, said strip having'a channel of angular shape in cross section to create a plurality of defined binding points for brush material secured within and projecting out of said channel when incorporated in said structure, and corrugations formed in some of the4 angles on the outside of said strip to receive holding members to secure the strip to a supporting member.

5. A brush comprising a base, a holder of channel sh'ape of angular form in cross section to produce a number of binding points and having. corrugations forming notches through angles on opposite sides of the holder for the receptionof holding members to secure the holder, to a supporting member, and brush material secured in said holder by the binding action of said binding points.

6. A brush comprising a base, a plurality of holders of channel shape each comprising sides gradually approaching each other and terminating in a narrow mouth, said channel within said mouth being of angular form in cross section to produce a number of binding points for brush material projecting out of the mouths of said channels, brush material secured in said holders by the binding action of said binding points, and

spacing members located between the holders and engaged with the angular sides thereof to space' them apart and retained in place by the angular sh'ape of said holders.

7. A brush comprising a base, holders of channel shape each comprising sides gradually `approaching each other and terminating in a narrow mouth, said channel within said mouth being of angular form vin cross section to produce a number of binding points for brush material projecting out of the mouths of said channels, brush material secured within said holders by th'e binding action of said points, and struts having at opposite ends angularly shaped notches to fit the angles between adjacent holders to retain them in spaced relation.

8. A brush strip of suitable length for insertion in a brush structure, said strip comprising a channel piece of angular shape in cross section and composed of a plurality of uniformly shapedy relatively angularly disposed at surfaces on each side of the channel, each of said surfaces being positioned opposite a surface of corresponding shape on the diametrically opposite side of the channel to receive and oppose force created by pressure of a compressed mass of brush material located between said oppositely disposed surfaces, and a mass of brush material secured within and projecting out of the channel in said structure.

- 9. A brush' strip of suitable length for incorporation in a brush structure, said strip being of angular shape in cross section and comprising a base anda plurality of uniformly shaped relatively anguiarly disposed Vfiat surfaces on opposite sides of the base, said angularly disposed surfaces each being positioned opposite a side of corresponding shape on the diametrically opposite side of the strip,

opposite sides vof the strip and extending length'- wise thereof, and a compressed mass of brush material located in said base and exerting pressure in opposite directions upon said oppositely disposed. sides.

10. A brush strip of suitable length for incorporation in a brush structure, said strip comprising achannel piece of angular shape in cross section and including a base `and oppositely disposed sides, said base comprising a substantially fiat surface divided by a line extending centrally along the lengthwise center of the baseand said sides each comprising a plurality of uniformly shaped flat surfaces each of which is located diametrically opposite a surface of corresponding shape on the opposite 'side of the channel to receive and oppose force created by pressure of a compressed mass of brush' material extending between said oppositely disposed surfaces, and a mass of brush material secured within and projecting outl of the channel in said structure.

l1. A brush strip of suitable length for incorporation in a brush structure, saidstrip comprising a channel of angular shape in cross section and including a base and two sides, said base comprising a substantially flat surface divided equally on opposite sides of the lengthwise center of the channel and said sides each comprising a plurality of relatively angularly disposed flat surfaces and of which the angle between two of said surfaces adjacent each other on each side of th'e channel is on a plane extending across the channel substantially midway of its depth whereby bending of the strip lengthwise and consequent flattening of the channel will prevent separation of the lips of the channel at its mouth.

said base being shaped to provide a x. plurality of similarly shaped bearing surfaces onk 4 chess 12. A brush strip of suitable length for incorporation in a brush structure. said strip comprising a. channel of angular sh'ape in cross section and including a base and two sides, said base comprising a substantially nat surface divided equally on opposite sides of the lengthwise center of the strip and said sides each comprising two relatively angularly disposed fiat lsurfaces the angle between which on opposite sides of the channel is located on a plane extending across the channel substantially midway of its depth whereby bending of the strip lengthwise and consequent ilattening of the channel will prevent separation of the lipslof the channel at its mouth.

13. A brush strip of suitable length for incorporation in a brush structure, vsaid strip com- 1s of the channel in said structure.

the channel to receive and oppose force created by pressure of a compressed mass of brush material located betweenfsaid oppositely disposed surfaces whereby outward movement of the sides at`the lower part of the channel will be compensated for by an equal inward movement of the sides at the top of the channel, and a mass of brush material secured within and projecting out HENRY CAVE. 

